Bohlke, who was retired from the Air Force and had been a decorated B-52 pilot and squadron commander in the Vietnam War, was found about 50 yards from his truck, the San Antonio Express-News website reported.

“They can become very aggressive, very mean, sometimes triggered by a female in heat,” Soward told the paper. “We'll probably never know what triggered it, but it was evident that this particular donkey was involved, based on the evidence at the scene and what we saw on this donkey.” Soward did not elaborate.

Hollywood Park is a town of about 3,300 people north of San Antonio. Mayor Pro Tem Steve Phillips will step in as acting mayor, according to the AP.